Religion

The Catholic Churches of Amador County invite you to join us in prayer and fellowship during the Lenten Season. Each Friday, beginning March 5, reflect on the mystery of Jesus’ gift of himself to us by praying the Stations of the Cross. Most churches also have a free Soup Supper along with the Stations. Schedule: St. Bernard, in Volcano, 5 p.m.; St. Mary of the Mountains, in Plymouth, 5:30 p.m., with Soup Supper following; Our Lady of the Pines, in Buckhorn, 5:30 p.m., with Soup Supper following (except March 14 and 28); St. Katharine Drexel, in Martell, 6 p.m., Soup Supper happens first, followed by Stations; and Sacred Heart, in Ione, at 7 p.m., with Mass following.

The Healing Word

The Healing Word offers a Marriage Seminar, on April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., and April 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a soup and salad lunch. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome to attend. Men’s Breakfast is scheduled for March 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. A Women’s Breakfast is scheduled for March 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. Food and clothing are available for whomever needs them, every Thursday and Friday, between 1 and 3 p.m. Pastor Mary Ann Barcklay leads Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m., with a lunch social afterward. Newcomers and visitors are welcome at our Bible Studies: Monday Men’s, at 7 p.m.; Wednesday afternoon Women’s, at 1 p.m.; Family Study on Wednesday evenings, at 6 p.m. We close on snow days due to ice in the parking lot. The Healing Word is a Foursquare Gospel Church, located at 26675 Tiger Creek Road, at Highway 88, in Pioneer. Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact healing@volcano.net, or 295-8699.

Community Christian Kindergarten Reunion

Community Christian School is hosting a its 33rd Anniversary Celebration, on Friday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. Special guests will include all 26 years of Mrs. Cartwright’s graduating Kindergarteners. If you, or someone you know, has been blessed to be among Mrs. Cartwright’s Kindergarteners, please make sure you pass along the information, and RSVP to attend, at ccsprincipal@volcano.net, or call 296-7773 x237.

Ione Community United Methodist Church

Pastor Tim Gravatt and Pastor Tom Widlund are back from their missionary trip to Guatamala, and will be giving the message on Sunday at our 9 a.m. worship service. A pancake breakfast will follow in the Social Hall. “Captivated by Prayer” group will meet on Monday, at 6 p.m., for a video presentation and discussion on the Holy Spirit. Adult Bible study meets every Tuesday, at 6 p.m. The L.E.A.P. after school program is held on Wednesdays, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Senior Food Distribution will be on Thursday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Senior meals are served on Thursdays, at 11:30. Our annual Jigg’s Dinner will be on March 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available from any church member. The church is located at 150 W. Marlette, telephone 274-2852.

'Starting Point'

Come see what all the excitement is about as Sutter Creek United Methodist Church offers, “Starting Point — Find Your Place In The Story.” Join others Thursday nights, at 5 p.m., as you explore what it means to connect your story with God’s story. Grab a glass of wine, some great food and plan to spend some time in relaxed conversation with others who want to know more about who we are. Come for one meeting or come for them all, every Thursday through April 10, in The Cellar, at Hotel Sutter, located at 53 Main Street, in Sutter Creek. For details, contact Pastor Tom Widlund, at t.widlund@yahoo.com.

Sutter Creek United Methodist Church

“Promise — The First Move,” will be the sermon topic on Sunday, March 2. Pastor Tim Gravatt or Pastor Tom Widlund will preside, with Scripture from Genesis 12:1-5 and 15:1-6. The service will begin at 11 a.m., with coffee and fellowship in the Social Hall afterward. Sutter Creek United Methodist Church is located at 14 Main Street, and the church office is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 1 to 4 p.m. The Pastors’ office hours are Tuesday, 1 to 4 p.m. Call 267-0226 for more information.

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

This weekend is the final preparatory Sunday before Great Lent: “Cheese-fare (Forgiveness) Sunday.” The Gospel says that one must forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matt 6:14-21). Services begin with Vespers, on Saturday evening, at 6 p.m., continue with Divine Liturgy, on Sunday morning, at 10 a.m., followed by “Forgiveness Sunday Vespers,” during which parishioners ask each other for forgiveness and seek to be reconciled. During the very somber first week of Lent, two additional services are offered, each at 6 p.m.: the Canon of St. Andrew, on Tuesday, March 3, and Presanctified Liturgy, on Wednesday, March 4. For further information, consult the website, saintsavajackson.org, or contact Fr. Stephen Tumbas, at 245-3142.

River Pines Bible Church

The Family Service begins at 10 a.m. As always, on the first Sunday of the month, Communion will be served. Following, there will be meditation on the meaning of Communion. Music will be performed by Dennis Paddock and Elena Kaufman. Refreshments are served after the service. All are welcome. The church is located in River Pines, on Shenandoah Road and Emigrant Trail. For information, call Pastor David Kaufman, at 217-7079.

Jackson United Methodist

Jackson United Methodist Church’s Bible series continues Sunday, March 2, with “Promise — The First Move.” Services start at 11 a.m. Services will include Communion and the collection of peanut butter and coupons. Bible Study will be Wednesday, at 3:33 p.m., in the Daffodil Room. On Saturday, Celebration Hall is the site of, “Break Bread with Friends,” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The free program is open to anyone who is hungry. People receive a hot breakfast and a sack lunch. For more information about the church, call 223-1884.

Faith Lutheran Church

Another fun evening is planned for the Community Kids at Faith Lutheran Church, located at 22601 Highway 88, in Pioneer. Bring your friends, and join other Amador County kids for food, fun and games from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 28. Any questions, call 295-4545.

Trinity Episcopal Church

The season of Lent begins next Wednesday. Start your preparation for Lent by joining us tomorrow, Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. until noon, for a Pancake Breakfast and a program on how to increase our happiness quotient. All are welcome to partake in this gift of food and fellowship in Jane’s Hall, behind the church. Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014) services will be at noon and 7 p.m. Sunday services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here. Trinity Church is located at 430 Highway 49, in Sutter Hill. For more information, call 267-0255, or visit trinitysuttercreek.org.